NDC’s Abdulai Sakra Alhassan Commends NAIMOS Amid Hwidiem Assault on Anti-Galamsey Operatives

Published: November 4, 2025 | Source: Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

In a bold statement amid rising tensions over illegal mining in Ghana, known locally as galamsey, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team Member Abdulai Sakra Alhassan has publicly praised the National Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). This commendation comes in the wake of a recent assault at Hwidiem on NAIMOS operatives dedicated to curbing galamsey activities. Speaking on Prime Morning News Flash, Alhassan highlighted NAIMOS’s unwavering commitment, urging Ghanaians to unite against environmental destruction caused by unregulated gold mining.

This incident underscores the challenges in Ghana’s ongoing battle against galamsey, a pervasive issue devastating rivers, forests, and farmlands. What does Alhassan’s endorsement mean for anti-galamsey efforts? This article breaks down the event, its context, and implications for sustainable mining practices in Ghana.

Analysis

Understanding the Hwidiem Assault

The Hwidiem assault involved attacks on NAIMOS participants by local individuals resisting anti-galamsey operations. Hwidiem, located in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, is a hotspot for small-scale gold mining, where economic desperation often fuels illegal activities. NAIMOS operatives were targeted while enforcing regulations, revealing deep-seated conflicts between enforcement agencies and communities dependent on galamsey for livelihoods.

Abdulai Sakra Alhassan’s Key Statements

During his appearance on November 4, 2025, Abdulai Sakra Alhassan described NAIMOS as an NDC-initiated body tasked with verifying and combating unlawful mining. “I congratulate NAIMOS… their work has been completely glorious,” he stated, emphasizing their dedication despite resistance. He lamented the assault, questioning societal tolerance for violence against those protecting natural resources.

Broader Context of Galamsey in Ghana

Galamsey, a term derived from “gather them and sell,” refers to artisanal and small-scale gold mining that operates without licenses. According to Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), galamsey has polluted over 60% of the country’s water bodies, including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers, with mercury and cyanide. Economically, it provides quick income but leads to long-term ecological and health crises, affecting agriculture and drinking water for millions.

Summary

Abdulai Sakra Alhassan, an NDC communications figure, commended NAIMOS for their exemplary efforts against galamsey following the Hwidiem assault. He stressed the need for national solidarity to protect the environment from illegal mining’s ravages, clarified the non-enforcement role of Blue Water Guards as intelligence gatherers, and criticized rising hostilities toward anti-galamsey operatives. This event highlights the high stakes in Ghana’s fight for sustainable resource management.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Supporting Anti-Galamsey Initiatives

Citizens can contribute to curbing galamsey by reporting suspicious activities to authorities like NAIMOS or the Minerals Commission via hotlines (e.g., 0800-100-200). Community education programs, such as those by the EPA, promote legal small-scale mining alternatives, training miners in responsible practices.

Adopting Sustainable Livelihoods

For galamsey-dependent communities, explore government-backed programs like the Alternative Livelihoods Project under the Ghana Landscapes Restoration Project. This initiative offers training in agroforestry, beekeeping, and legal mining cooperatives, reducing reliance on destructive methods.

Personal Actions for Environmental Protection

Reduce water pollution by avoiding single-use plastics that exacerbate mining runoff issues. Support advocacy groups like A Rocha Ghana, which monitor rivers and educate on conservation. Businesses can audit supply chains for conflict-free gold certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Points of Caution

Risks to Anti-Galamsey Operatives

The Hwidiem assault exemplifies growing violence against enforcers. Operatives face physical attacks, as seen in similar clashes in Denkyira Obuasi (2017) and Asutware in 2024, where mobs targeted security forces. Personal safety gear and community engagement protocols are essential.

Community Backlash and Economic Pressures

Locals often view galamsey bans as threats to survival amid youth unemployment rates exceeding 12% (Ghana Statistical Service, 2023). Abrupt enforcement without alternatives risks escalation. Policymakers must balance crackdowns with social support to avoid humanitarian crises.

Health and Environmental Hazards

Galamsey exposes workers to toxic chemicals, leading to respiratory diseases and birth defects. Communities near sites report skin lesions and mercury poisoning. Avoid unregulated sites and advocate for regular EPA monitoring.

Comparison

NAIMOS vs. Other Anti-Galamsey Bodies

NAIMOS focuses on operational verification, differing from Operation Halt (led by military/police) which emphasizes direct reclamation. Unlike Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, NAIMOS is NDC-linked, potentially partisan, but shares goals with EPA-led task forces reclaiming over 2,000 hectares since 2022.

Hwidiem Assault vs. Past Incidents

Similar to the 2017 Captain Mahama lynching tied to galamsey disputes or 2024 Atewa clashes, Hwidiem shows recurring patterns. However, NAIMOS’s intelligence-driven approach, via Blue Water Guards, contrasts with aggressive military operations that sometimes provoke fiercer resistance.

NDC vs. NPP Approaches to Galamsey

NDC, through figures like Alhassan, emphasizes institutional setups like NAIMOS, while NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo administration launched “Operation Vanguard” in 2017, deploying 6,000 personnel. Both face criticism for incomplete eradication, with galamsey rivers still polluted per 2024 EPA reports.

Legal Implications

Under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act (2006, amended 2019), galamsey without licenses is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to GH¢5,000 or 2 years imprisonment. Assaults on enforcers violate the Criminal Offences Act (1960), with charges for unlawful assembly or grievous harm carrying 5-10 year sentences.

Enforcement Challenges

Prosecutions are low due to corruption and political interference, as noted in Transparency International’s 2023 reports. NAIMOS’s intelligence role aids evidence gathering for courts, strengthening cases under the Environmental Protection Agency Act (1994). Victims of assaults, like Hwidiem operatives, can seek compensation via the Victims of Crime Fund.

Communities must note that licensed small-scale mining requires district assembly approval and EPA environmental impact assessments, ensuring legal pathways exist.

Conclusion

Abdulai Sakra Alhassan’s commendation of NAIMOS amid the Hwidiem assault spotlights the heroism in Ghana’s anti-galamsey crusade. While challenges like violence and economic dependence persist, unified national support—through policy, community alternatives, and legal enforcement—offers hope. Protecting Ghana’s gold-rich lands demands collective resolve, ensuring prosperity without sacrificing the environment for future generations.

FAQ